ESPN has Pirates ranked 22nd to start the MLB season
BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 21: Paul Skenes (30) of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on in the dugout before a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 21, 2026 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The MLB season is right around the corner, and ESPN has revealed their 2026 MLB season preview with rankings and every team’s playoffs odds. It is not surprising that they have the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best team to start the season but where they have the Pittsburgh Pirates might disappoint some fans.
ESPN has ranked the Pirates at 22 to start the season. Pittsburgh is projected to go 81-81 on the season. They are giving a 32% chance to make the playoffs but only have 1.
0% to make it to the World series. It’s not too surprising that the Bucs are just 22nd because of how weak the offense was last year, but I think additions like Marcell Ozuna, Brandon Lowe, and Ryan O’Hearn should seriously improve the bats. Another question mark to this team is how the pitchers outside of Paul Skenes are going to do.
Skenes is favored to win his second straight NL CY Young award, but he is going to need help this year. If the former Cy young winner is the only pitcher throwing at a high level, then it will be a long season for the Pirates. The Buccos are going to need Bubba Chandler and Mitch Keller to pitch really well this season so the pressure isn’t solely on Skenes.
The Cincinnati Reds are ranked at 18, but only projected to win 78 games this season. The Reds last year finished third in the National Central and snuck into the playoffs. That could be the same path Pittsburgh goes down for this season, winning around 82 games and sneaking into the playoffs which would snap their playoff drought.